UNDIP, Semarang (February 14) – In response to the global challenge of climate change, Indonesia must strengthen national awareness to drive a sustainable energy transition. Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to ensuring environmental sustainability and national energy resilience. To support this effort, the People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Republik Indonesia / MPR RI) held MPR RI Goes to Campus UNDIP, themed “The Urgency of Energy Transition to Prevent Climate Change Impacts,” at Prof. Sudarto, S.H. Hall, UNDIP Tembalang Campus, on Friday, February 14, 2025.
According to MPR RI Deputy Speaker Dr. Eddy Soeparno, S.H., M.H., achieving high and sustainable economic growth requires urgent energy transition efforts to mitigate climate change. The Indonesian government has set a target of up to 8% economic growth, which will inevitably increase energy demand. Therefore, Indonesia must enhance its energy supply while considering environmental concerns and committing to economic decarbonization by 2060.
Currently, Indonesia still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Data shows that coal contributes around 61% of electricity generation, given the country’s vast coal reserves and reliance on coal-fired power plants. Meanwhile, the renewable energy mix currently stands at 14%, far from the 23% target set for 2025, despite Indonesia’s abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, ocean currents, hydro, geothermal, and biofuels.
To support energy transition policies, Indonesia has set a Net Zero Emission (NZE) target by 2060. Achieving this goal requires concrete actions such as the gradual phase-out of coal-fired power plants, increased investment in renewable energy, and improved energy efficiency across various sectors.
To further this effort, MPR RI has drafted the Renewable Energy Bill (Rancangan Undang-Undang Energi Terbarukan / RUU EBET), which has reached the final stage in the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and is technically ready for enactment. This bill aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy by reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy resilience. “The shift from fossil fuels to green energy is not an option but a necessity,” stated Eddy.
UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., expressed his gratitude to MPR RI for providing students with valuable insights into the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuels to green energy as part of the effort to combat climate change. He also emphasized that UNDIP continues to develop innovations supporting a green and sustainable campus.
One such innovation is VOCA, a bottled drinking water product developed by UNDIP Vocational School’s Teaching Factory, which now supplies the entire university’s water needs. Additionally, UNDIP has developed desalination technology that converts seawater into potable water, among many other innovations. The university has also implemented Rector Regulation No. 5 of 2023 on Waste Management to improve environmental sustainability on campus.
Students also play a crucial role in UNDIP’s innovation progress. A recent achievement is Team Antawirya’s 1st place victory at the prestigious Shell Eco-Marathon Asia Pacific & Middle East 2025 in Qatar, showcasing UNDIP’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Hadiyanto, S.T., M.Sc., IPU, Director of Reputation, Partnerships, and Global Connectivity at UNDIP, highlighted the university’s contributions to supporting national energy transition policies. UNDIP has consistently ranked 2nd five times in the UI GreenMetric rankings, reinforcing its status as a green and sustainable campus.
To combat climate change, UNDIP has implemented five key energy efficiency strategies. First, electrical efficiency in lighting and air conditioning is achieved by using LED lights and inverter AC systems, which consume less energy. Second, the use of smart building principles in construction and renovations. Third, the utilization of renewable energy on campus. Fourth, the implementation of green building principles to reduce environmental impact. Lastly, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by promoting eco-friendly transportation.
Collaboration between government, academia, and legislative institutions—through laws regulating energy use—is essential to achieving energy resilience and environmental sustainability. (Ut-Media Relations)
